[Jewelry making - Article 00225] - Re: [Orchid] Design Fee?

[Nanz Aalund]

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Dear David,

    I guess I am confused by your response to my post. Perhaps you can
    clarify your point about lost time. 

    In my experience the time any jeweler/jewelry maker spends with
    potential customers can never be completely compensated. Marketing
    statistic have shown that only one in ten individuals will commit to
    a purchase over 750 dollars at any given time. Making pre-qualifying
    a useful tool. 

    Alternatively, charging an up-front design fee just to meet with
    potential customers would be commercial suicide. The cost of "lost
    time" spent meeting with potential customers or providing the
    services loyal customers expect must be considered a part of a
    business's advertising costs. Customer service is an essential yet
    often misunderstood aspect of our trade. 

    But if what you're saying, to those who are trying to make a living
    at custom work, is to make sure they are charging a minimum design
    fee per custom job to cover more of their up-front labor costs, then
    I have to agree with you. 

Nanz Aalund
Associate Editor / Art Jewelry magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle / Waukesha WI 53187-1612
262.796.8776 ext.228


 
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